To buy or not to buy: Rough JD 4020

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I've got a chance to buy a rough 4020 that belongs to my buddy's MIL. The sheet metal will need replacement if I want to restore it to a decent condition. I know they sell for $8500-12000 restored. It's a diesel and he says it runs but his BIL has started tearing it apart to restore it but gave up or lost interest. I'm guessing that pretty much everything will need refurbishing or replacement.

Is going to be a bottomless moneypit? Has anyone here done anything to this extreme? I could ask my local JD if they'd cut me some slack on parts pricing if I'm going to have to buy maybe thousands worth.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Which tranny? (PowerShift in need of work can absorb $4000 to $5000 alone) Is the engine running?

To take a worn out 4020 and bring it back to "restored" prime condition is a daunting task. It MAY require a few special tools, a LOT of time, parts and manuals, along with a fair amount of knowledge of the subject at hand.

A friend is at the 75% stage of restoring his fathers 1966 4020 diesel/Powershift. He's a full-time mechanic for a Caterpillar dealer. That allows him access to a few special tools, a good connection for machine work, and a working knowledge of tractors in general. SO FAR, at the 75% stage, he's invested over $6000. When done, the tractor SHOULD be worth in excess of $10,000. He may have that much invested.

Deere dealers are used to selling several thousand dollars worth of parts to individual customers. It's not uncommon for farmers to spend that sort of cash on a regular basis. That concept won't be a novel idea to them. Good luck on any significant discount.

Long story short, you'll probably have fun, learn a lot, spend a TON of money and have a VERY good tractor when you're done, but don't be suprised when you invest every nickel it's worth to get it to that point.

 

[radman1]

Which tranny? (PowerShift in need of work can absorb $4000 to $5000 alone) Is the engine running?

To take a worn out 4020 and bring it back to "restored" prime condition is a daunting task. It MAY require a few special tools, a LOT of time, parts and manuals, along with a fair amount of knowledge of the subject at hand.

A friend is at the 75% stage of restoring his fathers 1966 4020 diesel/Powershift. He's a full-time mechanic for a Caterpillar dealer. That allows him access to a few special tools, a good connection for machine work, and a working knowledge of tractors in general. SO FAR, at the 75% stage, he's invested over $6000. When done, the tractor SHOULD be worth in excess of $10,000. He may have that much invested.

Deere dealers are used to selling several thousand dollars worth of parts to individual customers. It's not uncommon for farmers to spend that sort of cash on a regular basis. That concept won't be a novel idea to them. Good luck on any significant discount.

Long story short, you'll probably have fun, learn a lot, spend a TON of money and have a VERY good tractor when you're done, but don't be suprised when you invest every nickel it's worth to get it to that point.

I think you summed it up well. Fix them up too nice and you won't want to use it because something else will need to be fixed, painted etc. If you can't do much of the repairs yourself, I would definitely pass. Too expensive to have a 2nd party repair them. A lot of the decision depends on what they want for it and current condition. The JD 4020 is one of the most commonly recognized collector tractors and hold their value well. Many still be used today. Perfect restoration may bring 11-13K. How much are they asking for it?

 

[flusher]

I've got a chance to buy a rough 4020 that belongs to my buddy's MIL. The sheet metal will need replacement if I want to restore it to a decent condition. I know they sell for $8500-12000 restored. It's a diesel and he says it runs but his BIL has started tearing it apart to restore it but gave up or lost interest. I'm guessing that pretty much everything will need refurbishing or replacement.

Is going to be a bottomless moneypit? Has anyone here done anything to this extreme? I could ask my local JD if they'd cut me some slack on parts pricing if I'm going to have to buy maybe thousands worth.

Does the tractormeter work? If so, how many hours are showing? If more than 5000, I'd probably pass on that 4020, especially since it apparently looks like a beater.

I bought a 1964 MF-135 diesel (45 hp engine) in Jul06 that had 4600 hours showing. The engine is OK, but the gear shifter and the pto clutch are pretty worn. I don't ask much of that 135 so these things are not that much of a problem. My 135 is an orchard tractor that was used only for mowing and discing so the drive train is probably not too badly worn.

That 4020 has twice the hp of my 135 and is nearly the same vintage. Try to find out how that tractor was used. If it was used for heavy plowing/tilling, the engine and tranny may be pretty worn.

 

[chh]

When I sold my synco shift 4020 it was at 9600 hours and still running like a top. That said I had a second one at one time that was a powershift that had lived a long hard life. The price to have a JD dealer rebuild the tranny was more than I believed the tractor was worth so I dumped it back thru and auction. I would consider a total rebuild to be a pretty daunting task if you are not a really experienced mechanic. FWJ's assesment is probably the most accurate advice you will get.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure which tranny it has. I haven't laid eyes on it for at least 6-7 years. Supposedly, it was working.

I looked up the price of a hood. 2 notes, 1, they still sell them if you absolutely need one. 2, they are priced at $1950 or so. Ouch. I can see why folks patch and bondo them.

The meter has been broken for years. He said the temp gage still works.It has relatively new rear tires and I think I can get it for around $4000. I really don't have the $$$ to sink into it right now.

FWIW, the tractor has been used primarily for shredding for years. They may have done some disking with it 10 years ago.

I guess I can look around for some used parts. Otherwise, if the tranny is bad, it might just need to go to the junkyard. There is no sentimental value here.

 

[chadincolo]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure which tranny it has. I haven't laid eyes on it for at least 6-7 years. Supposedly, it was working.

I looked up the price of a hood. 2 notes, 1, they still sell them if you absolutely need one. 2, they are priced at $1950 or so. Ouch. I can see why folks patch and bondo them.

The meter has been broken for years. He said the temp gage still works.It has relatively new rear tires and I think I can get it for around $4000. I really don't have the $$$ to sink into it right now.

FWIW, the tractor has been used primarily for shredding for years. They may have done some disking with it 10 years ago.

I guess I can look around for some used parts. Otherwise, if the tranny is bad, it might just need to go to the junkyard. There is no sentimental value here.

Pass. Way high on price for around here, that's what a working 4020 will sell for, I've seen several running powershift and syncro 4020 diesels sell from 3700-4500 this spring on auctions, ready to go to work. Not necesarrily great shape, or great tires, but ones you could stick in the field when you get home from the auction... Helped a friend get a stuck, not run in 10 years 4010 with cab and 3 point for $250 this spring. That was a steal, but I would think 1-2000 should buy one that "did run" and is in pieces.

As far as parts, avoid the dealership. Almost everything on a 4020 is available used or aftermarket.